Cubs sign Baker, invite Snyder to ST

The Cubs made it official today, saying they’ll tender contracts to all of their players. MLB puts out the official-official word, but we reported yesterday this would happen. The Cubs avoided salary arbitration with one player, signing infielder Jeff Baker to one-year deal worth $1.175 million. That’s a raise from the $975,000 Baker made last year.
The Cubs also re-signed outfielder Brad Snyder to a minor-league contract and invited him to spring training as nonroster player. Snyder had a cup of coffee with the big club in September.
The other arb-eligible players tendered contracts, with last year’s money figures in parentheses were reliever Carlos Marmol ($2.125 million), reliever Sean Marshall ($950,000), pitcher Tom Gorzelanny ($800,000) and catchers Koyie Hill ($700,000) and Geovany Soto ($575,000).
Baker figures to see plenty of time against left-handed pitching at second base, third base and first base. Manager Mike Quade also can spot him in the outfield if he sees fit.
Overall, Baker had a line of .272/.326/.413 with 4 homers and 21 RBI. Here are the left-right splits:
Vs. LHP: .350/.395/.550 with all 4 of his homers
Vs. RHP: .106/.181/.121
Baker also fared better at home, going .315/.384/.517 at Wrigley, compared with .239/.280/.333 on the road.
The free-agent market will fully establish itself by later today when all of the players not tendered contracts are announced. I expect the Cubs to be busy over the next 10 days, which encompasses the always-fun winter meetings.

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Chicago's Inside Pitch

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Bruce Miles and Scot Gregor

Bruce Miles has been covering the Chicago Cubs for the Daily Herald since 1998, and major-league baseball since 1989. He grew up in Chicago and is one of those rare birds who followed both the Cubs and White Sox.

Along with Cubs radio announcer Pat Hughes, Bruce co-authored the book, "Harry Caray: Voice of the Fans."

He checks in on the fan blogs and is a daily reader of Baseball Prospectus.

Scot Gregor has been covering the Chicago White Sox for the Daily Herald since 1994, and major-league baseball since 1990.

He grew up in Pittsburgh, where he idolized Roberto Clemente. Scott graduated high school in 1979, when the Steelers and the Pirates were both the best in the world.